YAA Adult Classes Instructors' Bios
Mamadou Dahoue was born in the northern region of the Ivory Coast in the village of Seguela. His early training was furthered by frequent performances throughout the countryside at traditional events and regional festivals. Mamadou became a member of the National Ballet of Cote d' Ivoire at the age of eighteen. After performing and traveling with this company for a year, Mamadou enrolled in the School of Dance and Cultural Exchange of Rosemarie Guiraud and received a diploma upon graduation in 1985 for performance and dance education. Mamadou furthered his studies and received his professional certificate in African Dance, Direction and Choreography in 1990. Mamadou currently teachers at several public schools and arts organizations throughout New York City. 
Tamar-Kali has made music and movement an integral part of her life since childhood. Introduced to the art form of Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) in early 2000, Tamar took to the dance immediately. She has since studied with masters such as Arianna al Tiye, Dalia Carella and Elena Lentini. Having toured internationally as a professional musician; Tamar considers the return of dance to her repertoire of creative expression, a blessing. As a performer, instructor and student of this dance, it is her goal to continually expand her knowledge and experience as well as enrich the lives of women through this art form. As a daughter of the African Diaspora Tamar acknowledges the ancient tradition of Raqs Sharqi as a healing art and educational tool. In her commitment to bring knowledge of the art form to a wider audience.
RONALD K. BROWN, Brooklyn-born (Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer), founded the New York-based contemporary dance company EVIDENCE, A DANCE COMPANY in 1985. In addition to his work with EVIDENCE, Brown has created work for the African American Dance Ensemble, Philadanco, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Grace in 1999 and Serving Nia in 2001, IFE/My Heart 2005), Ailey II, Cinque Folkloric Dance Theater, Jennifer Muller/The Works, and Jeune Ballet d’Afrique Noire.Ron’s movement is a fusion of western modern as well as traditional, contemporary and social dance forms from the U.S., Senegal, Cuba and Cote d’Ivoire. Ronald K. Brown has taught master classes in the U.S., Cuba, Brazil, England, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico and Senegal to name a few.
